Central Coast Council invites residents to participate in two community tree planting events, at Killcare Beach and Porters Creek Wyong, for National Tree Day, on Sunday 28 July 2024.

Since its inception by Planet Ark in 1996, National Tree Day has become Australia’s largest tree planting event, with more than 26 million trees planted by over five million volunteers.

Last year, the 2023 event planted over 2,000 trees across Killcare Beach and Porters Creek Wyong. This year, Planet Ark aims to plant over one million trees across Australia, with our local planting events contributing to this goal.

Central Coast Council Acting Director Environmental Management, Shannon Turkington said Porters Creek supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, and plays a vital role in managing flooding, filtering storm water, and improving water quality before entering Wyong River and Tuggerah Lakes.

”The wetland planting event is part of a project aiming to restore roosting and foraging habitat for many native and threatened animal species, including the critically endangered Swift Parrot. Plants provided for the sites are currently being grown by environmental volunteers at our Erina Depot Nursery and will contribute to preserving our beautiful, natural ecosystems,” Ms Turkington said.

The two sites represent very different environments, with both being ecologically important in terms of biodiversity and sustainability.

At Killcare Beach, like many areas along the coast, there has been a significant reduction in native dune vegetation, which is the first line of defence against coastal erosion and provides important habitat for wildlife.

Council Administrator, Rik Hart said ongoing planting events such as National Tree Day at Killcare Beach, will significantly improve the ability of the dune systems to withstand storms, extreme weather, and help protect infrastructure and adjacent homes.

“Plantings will provide habitat and a food source for local fauna native to the region, while preventing other unwanted species, like Bitou Bush, from thriving in exposed sand dunes. By planting native plants, such as shrubs, trees, and ground covers, which are adapted to the challenging coastal conditions, we contribute towards a healthier, more resilient environment and waterways, and increase biodiversity.

“Being in nature is vital for our own mental and physical health, and wellbeing. National Tree Day provides a wonderful opportunity for the community to celebrate and get involved in caring for where we live,” Mr Hart said.

To compliment ongoing planting throughout the day at both Porters Creek and Killcare Beach sites, the events will also include a traditional Smoking Ceremony and Acknowledgement of Country at Killcare Beach and a Welcome to Country at Porters Creek, plus live music, environmental-educational workshops, stall holders, and plenty of activities for kids and families.

Porters Creek is offering a free kayak tour, where kids aged eight and above, and adults, can paddle upstream with waterways experts and discover why healthy streambanks are vital for our estuaries.

The National Tree Day event at Porters Creek Wetland is undertaken as a partnership between Central Coast Council and Greater Sydney Local Land Services. This project was funded by the Federal Government’s National Landcare Program.

The Killcare Beach event is funded solely by Council and supported throughout the year by our Environmental Volunteer Program, Putty Beach Dunecare, and school and corporate volunteer groups.

To learn more, or register to attend an event, search Environmental groups | Central Coast Council (nsw.gov.au)

ENDS